System and method of maintaining traffic apparatus location information

ABSTRACT

A system and method of acquiring and maintaining location information associated with traffic apparatus deployed in connection with a traffic flow monitoring or regulation system are disclosed. In some implementations, an apparatus identifier may distinguish a particular traffic apparatus from others that are deployed in proximity, and a functional identifier may define a functionality of the particular traffic apparatus; positioning, orientation, and movement or acceleration data may also be provided for real-time or near real-time system applications. These apparatus data may be used to derive and to maintain a record of location data associated with each traffic apparatus deployed in a particular application.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/059,152, filed Aug. 9, 2018, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the disclosed subject matter relate generally to road-sidetraffic apparatus, and more particularly to a system and method ofacquiring and maintaining location information associated with suchapparatus deployed in connection with a traffic flow monitoring orregulation system.

BACKGROUND

Traffic flow information and pattern regulation are useful tools forinforming motorists of congestion, hazards, accidents, police or highwaysafety personnel activity, and the like.

Some traffic flow and pattern control apparatus may be deployed inconstruction zones, for example, or in areas such as freewayinterchanges or toll plazas where traffic congestion is regular orfrequent, or in areas requiring temporary rerouting of vehiculartraffic. In that regard, many such traffic flow and pattern controlapparatus are designed to be portable, or at least moveable (i.e., theymay not be permanently affixed to or integrated into the roadway orother immovable infrastructure).

Additionally, some traffic monitoring systems (such as those provided bySignalisation Ver-Mac™ Inc.) acquire and transmit traffic flow data to aremote system which processes data for use in connection with one ormore applications. A typical traffic flow monitoring and regulationsystem may, for example, update road-side or overhead signage withinformation concerning traffic patterns that a motorist may expect toencounter some distance ahead. Additionally or alternatively, suchtraffic data may be provided to third party mapping and navigationtools, providing a user of such a tool with real-time or near real-timeinformation concerning traffic conditions where they are beingmonitored. In connection with these and other systems, it may be usefulto identify the location of each traffic flow and pattern controlapparatus placed on or near the route being monitored or controlled.

Installation of permanent or long-term traffic sensors is a relativelycomplicated task, involving wiring, installation of communicationsequipment, and providing solid anchorage or a permanent supportstructure. On the other hand, since the equipment is permanent ordeployed for an extended period, power consumption is usually not alimiting factor for the equipment utilized, as the powered sensorcomponents are either connected to a local utility power grid oraccompanied by a government or commercial generator.

The challenges associated with providing temporary or portable trafficsensors and other flow and pattern control apparatus are very differentfrom those associated with deploying permanent or long term fixtures.Applications for these portable apparatus include construction sites,warning of speed limit changes, lane or road closures, and temporaryflagging or road hazards such as rock slides, bridge damage, lightingfailures, traffic collisions, law enforcement activity, and the like. Itis often desirable that a portable traffic apparatus be light-weight butsturdy, easily moveable to a suitable location, visible to motorists toprevent damage or destruction, and self-powered, since a portable devicemay not always be positioned such that it may readily be wired toelectric utility services. Portability may be desirable for manyapplications, as investment in a permanent physical infrastructure isnot required and because a traffic apparatus may quickly and selectivelybe deployed only where it is needed. As noted above, however, portablestructures may be moved, and so it may be useful in many applications toacquire and to maintain accurate location information for each suchapparatus that is deployed.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved system and method ofacquiring and maintaining location information associated with suchapparatus in connection with a traffic flow monitoring or regulationsystem.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in orderto provide a basic understanding of some aspects of various embodimentsdisclosed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of thedisclosure. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elementsof the disclosed embodiments nor to delineate the scope of thoseembodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of theinvention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

The present disclosure describes a system and method of acquiring andmaintaining location information associated with traffic flow andpattern control apparatus used in connection with a traffic flowmonitoring or regulation system. The purpose and location of each suchapparatus deployed in a traffic pattern control application may beacquired and maintained, for example, to monitor, verify, or modify atraffic flow control strategy. In that regard, a beacon or transceivermay transmit a signal indicative of a functionality associated with anapparatus, and the location of the beacon may be acquired or recorded;in the foregoing manner, a map or other record of apparatus purposes andlocations in space may be accurately maintained. Additionally oralternatively, cellular signals, global positioning system (GPS)implementations, or other positioning sensors may be employed eitherindividually or in combination with navigational aids or other mappingapplications to identify a particular location of a particular apparatusalong a roadway to be monitored or controlled.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method of acquiring and maintaininglocation information associated with a traffic apparatus may generallycomprise: affixing a beacon system to the traffic apparatus, the beaconsystem operative to broadcast apparatus data associated with the trafficapparatus to a remote device; capturing the apparatus data responsive toa measure of a signal strength of the beacon system; deriving locationdata associated with the traffic apparatus responsive to said capturing;and recording a location of the traffic apparatus in space based uponthe deriving. In some implementations, the beacon system is operative tobroadcast the apparatus data periodically at a frequency. In accordancewith the disclosed subject matter, various aspects of the method mayinclude: wherein the capturing is responsive to a peak signal strength;wherein the deriving comprises utilizing the apparatus data; and whereinthe beacon system is operative to broadcast the apparatus dataresponsive to a proximity of the remote device. In one suchimplementation, the deriving comprises utilizing positioning dataresident on the remote device.

The apparatus data may include a unique apparatus identifier, afunctional identifier associated with a function of the trafficapparatus, or both.

A disclosed method may further comprise transmitting the apparatus datafrom the remote device to a computer processing system; in one suchembodiment, the deriving may comprise utilizing the computer processingsystem. Additionally or alternatively, the recording may compriseutilizing the computer processing system. In some embodiments utilizinga computer processing system, a method may further comprise transmittingthe location data from the computer processing system to a third partyplatform.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a traffic apparatuslocation system may generally comprise: a traffic apparatus; a beaconsystem affixed to the traffic apparatus, the beacon system to broadcastapparatus data associated with the traffic apparatus; a remote device toreceive the apparatus data broadcast by the beacon system; and acomputer processing system to receive information associated with theapparatus data from the remote device; wherein the apparatus data areused to derive location data associated with a location of the trafficapparatus. In some such systems, the location data are included in theapparatus data broadcast by the beacon system.

The beacon system may be operative to broadcast the apparatus dataperiodically at a frequency; additionally or alternatively, the beaconsystem may be operative to broadcast the apparatus data responsive to aproximity of the remote device. In this latter embodiment, the locationdata may be derived based on a location of the remote device. Thelocation data may be derived by the remote device, or the location datamay be derived by the computer processing system. In someimplementations, the apparatus data include a unique apparatusidentifier, a functional identifier associated with a function of thetraffic apparatus, or both.

In some systems, the remote device is a wireless telephone and inothers, the remote device is a tablet computer. In some embodiments of asystem, the beacon system comprises a wireless transceiver and isconfigured and operative to initiate the broadcast responsive to asignal from the remote device. The beacon system may generally compriseone of a global positioning system sensor, a gyroscope, an altimeter, acompass, and an accelerometer. In some embodiments, the computerprocessing system is operative to transmit the location data to a thirdparty platform.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, atraffic apparatus may generally comprise: a structure to conveyinformation to a motorist; and a beacon system affixed to saidstructure, said beacon system to broadcast apparatus data associatedwith said structure to a remote device configured and operative receivethe apparatus data broadcast by said beacon system; wherein the remotedevice transmits information associated with the apparatus data to acomputer processing system and the apparatus data are used to derivelocation data associated with a location of said structure. In someapparatus, the structure comprises one of a drum, a delineator, a cone,a flasher, a fixed sign, a placard, a barricade, and a programmablesign; in accordance with the disclosure, the structure may comprise oneidentified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

The beacon system may generally comprise a memory to store the apparatusdata. The memory may be selectively programmable, for instance, and theapparatus data may be selectively programmed. In some apparatusembodiments, the beacon system is operative to broadcast the apparatusdata periodically at a frequency; additionally or alternatively, thebeacon system is operative to broadcast the apparatus data responsive toa proximity of the remote device.

As noted above with reference to other embodiments, the apparatus datamay include a unique apparatus identifier, a functional identifierassociated with a function of the structure, or both. In some disclosedembodiments, the functional identifier is selectively programmable.

In some implementations of a traffic apparatus, the beacon systemgenerally comprises a wireless transceiver and is configured andoperative to initiate the broadcast responsive to a signal from theremote device. Embodiments are disclosed wherein the location data arederived by the beacon system. The beacon system may generally compriseone of a global positioning system sensor, a gyroscope, an altimeter, acompass, and an accelerometer. In some embodiments of a trafficapparatus, the structure is portable.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, amethod of acquiring and maintaining location information associated witha traffic apparatus may generally comprise: affixing a beacon system tothe traffic apparatus, the beacon system operative to broadcastapparatus data associated with a function of the traffic apparatus to aremote device; capturing the apparatus data responsive to a measure of asignal strength of the beacon system identified by the remote device;deriving location data associated with the traffic apparatus responsiveto the capturing; and responsive to the deriving, recording both thefunction of the traffic apparatus and a location in space at which thetraffic apparatus is deployed.

Further, a traffic apparatus location system may generally comprise: atraffic apparatus; a beacon system affixed to the traffic apparatus, thebeacon system to broadcast apparatus data associated with a function ofthe traffic apparatus; a remote device to receive the apparatus databroadcast by the beacon system; and a computer processing system toreceive information associated with the apparatus data from the remotedevice, the information including the function of the traffic apparatus;wherein the information is used to derive location data associated witha location in space at which the traffic apparatus is deployed, andwherein the computer processing system is to record both the function ofthe traffic apparatus and the location in space at which the trafficapparatus is deployed.

In addition to the other features noted above with respect to otherimplementations, a system and method may further employ a beacon systemcomprising a sensor including one of a global positioning system sensor,a gyroscope, an altimeter, a compass, and an accelerometer.Implementations are disclosed wherein the beacon system broadcasts theapparatus data responsive to movement of the traffic apparatus asdetected by the sensor. In some implementations, the beacon system maycomprise power control circuitry to disable electronic components of thebeacon system following expiration of a time period during whichmovement of the traffic apparatus is not detected by the sensor.

In another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a traffic apparatusmay generally comprise: a structure to convey information to a motorist;and a beacon system affixed to the structure, the beacon system tobroadcast apparatus data associated with the structure to a remotedevice, the remote device configured and operative receive the apparatusdata broadcast by the beacon system; wherein the remote device transmitsinformation associated with the apparatus data to a computer processingsystem and the apparatus data are used to identify a function of thestructure and to derive location data associated with a location inspace at which the structure is deployed. The beacon system may comprisea wireless transceiver and may be configured and operative to initiatethe broadcast responsive to a signal from the remote device.

In some disclosed embodiments, the beacon system may comprise a sensorincluding one of a global positioning system sensor, a gyroscope, analtimeter, a compass, and an accelerometer. In addition to, or as analternative to, some of the other features and aspects set forth abovewith respect to other implementations, the beacon system may broadcastthe apparatus data responsive to movement of the structure as detectedby the sensor.

As set forth in more detail below, the beacon system may comprise powercontrol circuitry to disable electronic components of the beacon systemfollowing expiration of a time period during which movement of thestructure is not detected by the sensor.

The foregoing and other aspects of various disclosed embodiments will beapparent through examination of the following detailed descriptionthereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals are used to represent like componentsthroughout, unless otherwise noted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a variety of traffic flow and pattern controlapparatus to which the disclosed subject matter pertains;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a traffic flow and pattern controlapparatus modified for use in connection with the disclosed subjectmatter;

FIG. 3 is a high-level functional schematic diagram of an embodiment ofa beacon system to be used in connection with a traffic flow and patterncontrol apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a high-level functional schematic diagram of an embodiment ofa system of acquiring and maintaining traffic apparatus locationinformation; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method of acquiringand maintaining traffic apparatus location information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects and features of the disclosed subject matter may befurther understood with reference to the following description and theappended drawing figures. In operation, a system and method of acquiringand maintaining traffic apparatus location information in connectionwith a traffic flow monitoring and regulation system may transmitinformation regarding the purpose and location of a traffic apparatus toa remote server or computer system. Specifically, the present disclosureprovides for a power efficient traffic apparatus data collecting systemwhich acquires and maintains location and functionality data associatedwith traffic apparatus employed in the field, and transmits those datato a remote or distant computer server or computing platform such as,for instance, those associated with smart work or construction zones orother traffic management systems or platforms.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that, to accommodate or tomaximize portability, a traffic flow data collection strategy such asdescribed below may effectuate communications with a remote computersystem via any of various wireless technologies such as wirelessfidelity (WiFi) protocols, satellite or cellular communicationsstandards, and the like. The present disclosure is not intended to belimited by the nature or functional characteristics of thecommunications hardware or signaling methodologies used to enable thedisclosed traffic apparatus to communicate apparatus data to a remotecomputer system, nor is it intended to be limited by the purpose oroperation of the remote computer system itself.

Turning now to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a variety oftraffic flow and pattern control apparatus to which the disclosedsubject matter pertains, and FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a trafficflow and pattern control apparatus modified for use in connection withthe disclosed subject matter. FIG. 1 depicts various types of trafficapparatus 100 that are familiar to most motorists: drums; delineators;cones; flashers; fixed signs or placards (such as “Road Work,” “MergeLeft Ahead,” “Road Closed,” “Detour,” and “Traffic Signal Ahead” signs);and variable or selectively programmable lighted signs. It will beappreciated that numerous other signs and structures are used in the artor may be developed that may have utility in connection with trafficcontrol applications, and that the present disclosure is not intended tobe limited to any particular subset of traffic signage or traffic flowdevices. In that regard, in the context of the present disclosure, theterms “traffic flow and pattern control apparatus” and “trafficapparatus” are intended to encompass each of the traffic apparatus 100illustrated in FIG. 1 as well as other signs, devices, structures, andinformative instruments used to signal or to alert vehicular traffic toroad conditions, speed limits or hazards, or to provide otherinformation, as is generally known in the art. Examples of such trafficapparatus for use in Canada and the United States may be found, forexample, in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (the “MUTCD”)or in other analogous or counterpart publications in otherjurisdictions.

For example, traffic apparatus 100 may be implemented as a barricade orother free-standing road-side structure that is light-weight, readilyportable, and crash-certified. In that regard, it is noted that manygovernmental bodies or highway safety organizations require a safety orcrash certification before a traffic apparatus 100 may be deployedroad-side or near traffic patterns, even in emergency scenarios.Accordingly, those of skill in the art will appreciate that designaspects of commercial embodiments of traffic apparatus 100 may beimplemented as a function of local, state, or federal statutes orapplicable regulations. The present disclosure is not intended to belimited to any particular implementation of the hardware components,materials, or communications protocols illustrated and described withreference to the drawing figures to the extent that any of theseelements may be influenced or directed by statute or regulation or otherdesign considerations.

Traffic apparatus 100, in any of its various embodiments, may beconstructed of a variety of materials generally known in the art havingsuitable strength, weight, weather durability, and ultraviolet (UV)light resistant characteristics. Examples include plastics, polyvinylchloride (PVC), painted, coated, or weather-treated metals such asstainless steel, aluminum, and suitably weather-resistant alloys,ceramics, and other moldable or formable materials that have utility inoutdoor and inclement weather applications. The present disclosure isnot intended to be limited by the materials or structural configurationof traffic apparatus 100, though an intended functionality of aparticular traffic apparatus 100 may influence the instant system andmethod as set forth below. By way of example only, and not by way oflimitation, a signage embodiment of traffic apparatus 100 is depicted inFIG. 2 (i.e., “Merge Left”).

As set forth below, traffic apparatus 100 may generally include a beaconsystem 290, which may be mounted, affixed, or otherwise attached to orintegrated into a structural element of traffic apparatus 100, which asnoted above, may be embodied in or comprise a barrel or impact absorbingcylinder, a sign (as in FIG. 2), a cone, a barricade, a flasher, orother device. In some embodiments, some powered components of trafficapparatus 100 (such as a flasher or lighted elements) may receiveelectrical power from a solar panel, a small windmill deployed ontraffic apparatus 100 or proximate thereto, a battery source, or acombination of these and other power sources. Standard, wired electricalservice may be appropriate in some instances; for example, a nearbytruck or trailer supporting an electric generator may be employed topower electrical components of traffic apparatus 100, though to maximizeportability, wireless or fully integrated power sources (such asphotovoltaic (PV) panels or battery packs) may be used. As set forthbelow, traffic apparatus 100 may be so constructed and dimensioned as torender it sufficiently light-weight to be easily movable by a singleperson. Irrespective of power supplies to other components of trafficapparatus 100, in some embodiments, beacon system 290 may be batterypowered and so configured to conserve power as set forth in more detailbelow.

FIG. 3 is a high-level functional schematic diagram of an embodiment ofa beacon system to be used in connection with a traffic flow and patterncontrol apparatus. As noted above, traffic apparatus 100 may generallycomprise a beacon system 290 integrated with or attached to a suitablestructural element as a function of the overall design and structuralconfiguration of traffic apparatus 100. In that regard, it will beappreciated that any of various mechanical fastening elements (such asrivets, nuts and bolts, screws, clips or clamps, hook and loopfasteners, etc.), adhesives, welding or brazing techniques, and othercoupling techniques or structures may be employed to affix beacon system290 to a structural element or portion of traffic apparatus 100.

In an implementation, beacon system 290 generally comprises a wirelesstransmitter 291, such as a transmitter operative in accordance withBluetooth™, WiFi, or a suitable near field communication (NFC)telecommunications standard. In operation, beacon system 290, viatransmitter 291, may transmit certain information (such as GPS or otherlocation data as well as identification data associated with the natureor operational characteristics of traffic apparatus 100) to a remotedevice (depicted in FIG. 3 as a wireless telephone identified byreference numeral 900). In that regard, beacon system 290 may alsocomprise a memory 299 that may store data associated with thefunctionality or intended purpose of traffic apparatus 100. In certainimplementations in which memory 299 may be selectively reprogrammable,beacon system 290 may also include a wireless transceiver or suitablewired hardware interface (not shown), such as a universal serial bus(USB), DockPort jack, or other suitable data interface to allow datatransfer to memory 299, enabling definition of the operability andfunctional characteristics of beacon system 290, and thereby, of trafficapparatus 100.

By way of example, memory 299 may maintain data associated with thespecific traffic apparatus 100 (“apparatus data”) to which beacon system290 is affixed or attached. Such apparatus data may include a serialnumber, apparatus code, or other identifier that may have utility inenabling a system operator or administrator to identify or todistinguish a unique traffic apparatus 100 from a plurality of same thatare deployed in a particular traffic control application. Additionallyor alternatively, such apparatus data may include a code, a series ofbits or data words, or other indicator sufficient to identify the typeor operational characteristics of traffic apparatus 100 in a particularapplication. In particular, such a code or identifier stored in memory299 may identify the traffic apparatus 100 to which beacon system 290 isattached as a cone, a barrel, a barricade, or a sign (FIG. 2); moreparticularly, such a code or identifier may further classify trafficapparatus 100 in accordance with the information, if any, provided tonearby motorists. For example, apparatus data may be used tocharacterize a sign as conveying particular information, such as “10 MPHZone,” “Merge Left Ahead” (FIG. 2), “Yield,” “Detour Left,” and thelike. In that regard, each of the various traffic apparatus 100illustrated in FIG. 1 may have a unique code or identifier to specifyits function and to distinguish that function from others. Additionally,as noted above, another code or identifier may distinguish eachindividual traffic apparatus 100 from others having like functionality.

In some implementations, memory 299 may be pre-coded for a particularpurpose such that apparatus data for beacon system 290 is predeterminedwhen memory 299 is initialized with data. In such situations, however,care must be taken by a system operator or administrator to ensure thata beacon system 290 pre-configured to operate in connection with aparticular type of traffic apparatus 100 is properly affixed to arespective cone, barricade, sign, or placard, for instance, or thesystem in which that traffic apparatus 100 is deployed may record andmaintain inaccurate data regarding the deployed arrangement of trafficapparatus 100. Additionally or alternatively, memory 299 may beselectively reprogrammed or rewritten such that beacon system 290 may beselectively programmable, for example, as a function of the type andnature of the traffic apparatus 100 to which it is affixed or attached.In this flexible embodiment, as noted above, memory 299 may beprogrammed wirelessly, for example, or via a USB, DockPort, or otherwired communication interface such that apparatus data stored in memory299 accurately reflect the nature and operational characteristics of thetraffic apparatus 100 to which beacon system 290 is affixed. In anotherembodiment, memory 299 may be selectively programmed via a rocker panel,switch, or dial (not illustrated), for instance, such that beacon system290 may be programmed to one of several functionalities in accordancewith switch or dial position. For example, placing a rocker panel ortoggle switch in the left position may program memory 299 tocharacterize beacon system 290 as a “Merge Left” indicator, whileplacing the rocker panel or toggle switch in the right position mayprogram memory 299 to characterize beacon system 290 as a “Merge Right”indicator. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that memory 299 maybe programmed or selectively reprogrammed in any of various ways thatare generally known in the art or developed in accordance with knownprinciples and operational characteristics of memory 299, enablingflexibility and efficiency for traffic administrator work flow whenemploying beacon system 290 in connection with a desired type of trafficapparatus 100.

It will be appreciated that memory 299 may be embodied in or compriseread only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM) or other types of “flash” memory, any of various typesof random access memory (RAM), or other solid-state memory device as adesign choice, and generally selected as a function of powerconsumption, reliability, memory capacity, mean read/write cycles tofailure, or a combination of these and other factors. The presentdisclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific implementationor technologies employed in connection with memory 299.

As indicated in FIG. 3, beacon system 290 may also comprise any of anumber of different types of sensors 292. Sensors 292 may includegyroscopes, altimeters, compasses, accelerometers, GPS or other motionor positioning sensors, for example, having utility in locating anddiscovering the orientation of apparatus 100 in two- orthree-dimensional space. In some implementations, it may be useful tocommunicate signals from sensors 292, via transmitter 291, to a remotesystem or processing platform such as device 900. In some embodiments,particularly those transmitting apparatus data in real-time or nearreal-time, data from sensors 292 may identify positioning, for instance,as well as acceleration or motion that may be indicative of a trafficapparatus 100 that has been moved since a previous data transmission.Comparison of successive compass data points, for example, may indicateexpected, or unexpected (and therefore, undesirable), rotation of atraffic apparatus 100.

In the FIG. 3 implementation, data acquired by sensors 292 and data frommemory 299 may be combined, concatenated, multiplexed, or otherwiseaggregated for transmission by transmitter 291 (as indicated byaggregate data stream 293), though it may also be desirable that memory299 or one or more sensors 292 provide apparatus data for transmissionby transmitter 291 individually (i.e., in discrete or separate datastreams). Accordingly, the present disclosure is not intended to belimited by the particular data flow illustrated in FIG. 3, and it isnoted that the data structure and the manner in which apparatus data areprovided to transmitter 291 for transmission are susceptible of numerousvariations and modifications depending, for example, on the bandwidth oftransmitter 291, the type and amount of apparatus data to be provided,power consumption limitations or requirements, or a combination of theseand other factors. For example, it will be appreciated that amicroprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic controller(PLC), or other suitable data processing element may facilitatecombination, aggregation, multiplexing, or other processing orpre-processing of data at beacon system 290, as illustrated at referencenumeral 294, though alternatives may readily be implemented within thescope and contemplation of the disclosed subject matter.

In operation, one or more battery cells (reference numeral 295) may beused to provide operational power to the components of beacon system290, and in particular, when and if required. As is generally known,such battery cells may employ nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride,lithium ion, or other rechargeable or single-use battery cellchemistries or technologies that are generally known or developedaccording to known principals. In some embodiments, power controlcircuitry may be used to monitor and to regulate charge and dischargecycles for such battery cells, and to minimize or reduce batteryconsumption; power control circuitry may comprise or incorporate amicrocontroller, a PLC, or other data processing element as is generallyknown.

Though not specifically illustrated in FIG. 3, it is noted that beaconsystem 290 may generally employ a housing or other structure that issuitably weather and element resistant to protect components 291, 292,and 299 from environmental damage, and that the materials,shock-proofing, ultraviolet resistance, and other characteristics ofsuch a housing may be selected as a function of the sensitivities ofthose components, including memory 299. For example, the housing may besuitably water, weather, and ultraviolet resistant to protect beaconsystem 290 components from the elements, dust and road debris, salt, andthe like, such as are frequently encountered in road-side, all-weathertraffic monitoring and control applications.

In use, beacon system 290 may generally transmit apparatus dataassociated with traffic apparatus 100 to a remote processing platformsuch as remote device 900. As noted above, remote device 900 in the FIG.3 embodiment is depicted as a wireless telephone, but remote device 900may be embodied in or comprise any of various other devices such asgeneral purpose or specifically designed tablet computers, laptopcomputers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or similar portabledevices having appropriate communications capabilities to receiveapparatus data from transmitter 291 and to transmit those data (eitherin raw or processed form) to another system or computing platform as setforth below. In some implementations, for instance, apparatus datareceived from transmitter 291 may be processed, pre-processed,aggregated, or otherwise organized by suitable processing elements andsoftware components at remote device 900; additionally or alternatively,it may be desirable that remote device 900 simply act as a relay toprovide apparatus data from transmitter 291, unmodified, to anadditional device or system.

It will be appreciated that remote device 900 may comprise one or moreprocessing components, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, PLC,application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gatearray (FPGA), or other data processing component having sufficientresources to receive the data transmission from beacon system 290, toexecute any processing that is desirable locally (i.e., at remote device900), and to transmit the raw apparatus data or processed data toanother system. These hardware elements may be operative in accordancewith software modules, operating systems, program applications, andother instruction sets (or a combination of these) as is generally knownin the art.

Typically, remote device 900, when implemented as a wireless telephoneor tablet computer, may have a display (such as a touch screen display)and one or more input mechanisms (such as the same touch screen displayand one or more physical buttons or switches) enabling interaction withremote device 900, ordinarily via a user interface or graphical userinterface (GUI). These implementations may have particular utility inapplications in which remote device 900 may be employed, for example, todo some degree of processing or pre-processing of apparatus datareceived from beacon system 290 under control of, or influenced by,input from a user (which may be, for example, a road crew memberinstalling or placing traffic apparatus 100). In some situations, on theother hand, it may be desirable that remote device 900 comprise orembody a simple wireless relay strategy that requires no (or minimal)user interface mechanism. In these situations, remote device 900 may beimplemented as a small, light-weight, wearable electronic component(such as a smart watch, a bi-directional pager device, or othercommunication component) with a transceiver and sufficienttelecommunications capabilities to receive apparatus data and totransmit same without any interaction with a user. For example, remotedevice 900 in accordance with some embodiments may be removably orfixedly attached to, or integrated into the structure of, a garment suchas a vest or hard hat worn by a member of a road crew or traffic controlstaff member. In these embodiments, the work flow of a road crew isminimally impacted by the beacon system 290 technology deployed inconnection with the traffic apparatus 100 used in a particular trafficflow control application, since user interaction with remote device 900is not required.

Turning now to an example of one implementation, FIG. 4 is a high-levelfunctional schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system of acquiringand maintaining traffic apparatus location information. As illustratedat the left side of FIG. 4, system 400 may generally comprise an arrayor arrangement (reference numeral 420) of traffic apparatus 100, each ofwhich may comprise a respective beacon system 290 substantially asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As noted above, eachrespective beacon system 290 may transmit apparatus data (such as via arespective transmitter 291) to a remote device 900 deployed in proximityto the arrangement 420.

It will be appreciated that arrangement 420 may comprise more or fewertraffic apparatus 100 than illustrated in FIG. 4, and that eachrespective traffic apparatus 100 may serve a particular function withinarrangement 420. For example, where the right-most travel lane is closed(e.g., due to construction, a collision or hazard, law enforcementactivity, etc.), one or more “Merge Left” signs may be deployed upstreamof a series of cones, delineators, or barricades that urge motorists tothe left lane. Similarly, one or more “Detour” signs may be deployedupstream of a barricade, a “Road Closed” sign, and a “Right” arrow signurging motorists to turn right. Those of skill in the art willappreciate that the number and type of traffic apparatus 100 deployedmay be application-specific and depend upon prevailing or typicaltraffic conditions, the nature and threat of a particular hazard, thesize or length of an area affected by the traffic flow control desired,or a combination of these and a variety of other factors. In thiscontext, the term “arrangement” is intended to encompass the varioustraffic apparatus 100 and their relative positions that, collectively,are expected to effectuate a particular traffic control goal (e.g.,closing a lane of traffic, causing traffic to turn off of a road,controlling the speed of vehicular traffic, warning of a hazard, and thelike).

In an embodiment, remote device 900 may be configured and operative toreceive apparatus data from each respective beacon system 290 while inclose enough proximity to be in communication with a respectivetransmitter 291; this may be effectuated, for example, as a trafficapparatus 100 is being placed in arrangement 420, or it may beeffectuated after all traffic apparatus 100 have been set up in desiredlocations. As remote device 900 is moved through arrangement 420, signalstrength from each transmitter 291 may rise (e.g., as remote device 900approaches the associated traffic apparatus 100) and fall (e.g., asremote device 900 recedes from the associated traffic apparatus 100).When signal strength is lost for a particular beacon system 291 (or ifsuch signal strength falls below a predetermined threshold, forexample), then remote device 900 may record (or transmit) a location ofthat particular beacon system 291 (and thus, a location of the trafficapparatus 100 to which it is affixed) when its signal strength was at ornear a maximum. In the foregoing manner, either during deployment orafter, a position (“location data”) for each traffic apparatus 100 inarrangement 420 may be ascertained from acquired apparatus data,recorded, and/or transmitted by remote device 900.

Location data based upon apparatus data may be forwarded from remotedevice 900 to another data processing system or platform, illustrated onthe right side of FIG. 4 as central system 410. As noted above, remotedevice 900 may, additionally or alternatively, transmit raw apparatusdata to central system 410 for processing; in such an embodiment,location data for each traffic apparatus 100 in an arrangement 420 maybe derived at central system 410, for example, where processingresources and power consumption parameters may be less restricted thanat remote device 900. In that regard, it is worth noting again thatderivation of location data from raw, or unprocessed, apparatus data maybe implemented at remote device 900, at central system 410, or at both,operating either individually or in cooperation; these various dataprocessing strategies may be selected in accordance with the processingcapabilities and telecommunications bandwidth of remote device 900 or avariety of other factors.

It is noted that central system 410 may be embodied in or comprise acomputer server or series of servers, workstations, desktop or laptopcomputers, or other similar data processing components useful forproviding the functionality described herein. The various components ofcentral system 410 (such as bus architectures, memory controllers, datastorage, input/output devices, network interface cards or othertelecommunications interfaces, and the like) are generally known in theart and have been omitted from FIG. 4 for clarity.

In operation of system 400, proprietary software instruction sets may beexecuted, such as by central system 410, remote device 900, or acombination of both, to analyze acquired apparatus data transmitted bybeacon system 290 and to write those data and the results of anycomputations to memory (not shown) at central system 410. In theforegoing manner, central system 410 may acquire and maintain a detailedmap recording a location of each traffic apparatus 100 deployed in aparticular arrangement 420.

In some implementations, location data may be aggregated with map data(available from a variety of third party navigation software providers,for instance) such that a map of a particular arrangement 420 and itsconstituent traffic apparatus 100 may be superimposed upon or otherwiseintegrated with road map data, satellite imagery data, or both. In onesuch embodiment, for instance, location data may be integrated with roadmap or satellite data at central system 410, which may serve or transmitaggregated data to various third party platforms 490. In anotherembodiment, additionally or alternatively, central system 410 may serveor transmit location data to third party platforms 490, which may thenintegrate or aggregate such location data with their own proprietarydata or software applications. In that regard, third party platforms 490may include those owned or operated by, for example, federal, state, orlocal departments of transportation (DOT) or law enforcement, theNational Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or other regulatoryauthority, automobile manufacturers (for use in connection with onboardnavigation aids or mapping software applications), suppliers ofnavigation software applications or solutions, and the like.

The connection between central system 410 and third party platforms 490may be via the Internet, for example, or some other wide area network,and may be wired or wireless. The present disclosure is not intended tobe limited by the type of telecommunications technologies used by any ofthe parties illustrated in FIG. 4, nor is it intended to be limited bywhich of the parties integrates location data with map or satellitedata. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the architecturalarrangement of FIG. 4 is susceptible of various alternatives andmodifications.

By way of example, it is noted that many smart work zone, commercialvehicle fleet management, and navigation systems employ real-time andhistorical traffic flow data for a variety of purposes. One such systempromulgated by Signalisation Ver-Mac, for instance, is referred to asJam Logic™, and uses traffic flow data to update road-side or overheadsignage or network accessible navigational tools responsive to changesin traffic speed or flow patterns. Additionally, a number ofcommercially available mapping and navigational aids that are availablevia the Internet or proprietary telecommunications networks can providevisualizations of traffic congestion or locations of wrecks, roadclosures, or other hazards using data acquired from road-side trafficapparatus 100 such as those described above. It may be desirable inconnection with these and other systems, however, to know whereparticular traffic apparatus 100 are along a route and to provide amotorist with an advanced alert (i.e., prior to the motorist's arrivalwithin visual range), regarding what information a particular trafficapparatus 100 may be intended to convey. In particular, the road crew ora traffic control entity responsible for setting up individual trafficapparatus 100 may want to ensure, via data maintained at central system410, for example, that a particular arrangement 420 is deployedproperly, as well as when and if a traffic apparatus 100 has been moved,e.g., by wind, rain, collision, vandalism, etc. By periodically movingremote device 900 in and around arrangement 420, location datamaintained at central system 410 may provide information that is usefulfor road crews or traffic control administrators to determine whetheradjustments or relocation of one or more traffic apparatus 100 may benecessary or desirable.

Employing electronics to determine when apparatus data are to betransmitted, and how much apparatus data are to be transmitted, mayallow the powered components of beacon system 290 (particularly sensors292 and transmitter 291) to conserve power. Since apparatus data neednot be continuously processed and transmitted, and may be transmittedonly periodically, only when remote device 900 is in close proximity, or(for example) only when an accelerometer or other motion detectiondevice determines that traffic apparatus 100 has been moved, beaconsystem 290 may save on power such that a small photovoltaic panel orsmall chemical battery cell may be capable of providing sufficient powerfor most use cases.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method of acquiringand maintaining traffic apparatus location information.

As indicated at block 501, a beacon (such as beacon system 290) may beaffixed to a traffic apparatus 100 such as set forth above withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The term “affixed” in this context isintended to be construed broadly enough to encompass embodiments inwhich beacon system 290 is integrated with a structural component oftraffic apparatus 100, and may not require mechanical fasteners,adhesives, or other coupling elements.

As indicated at block 502, a beacon may broadcast (such as viatransmitter 291, for instance) apparatus data associated with thetraffic apparatus 100 to which it is affixed. As noted above, this maybe accomplished utilizing data provided by one or more sensors 292disposed on or attached to beacon system 290 as well as data provided bymemory 299. Apparatus data from these sources may be combined,multiplexed, or otherwise integrated for transmission by transmitter291, or they may be broadcast in discrete or separate data streams. Inparticular, memory 299 may store an apparatus identifier (apparatus ID)that distinguishes a traffic apparatus 100 from others that are deployedin proximity as well as a functional identifier (functional ID) that isassociated with or defines the functionality of the traffic apparatus100. Positioning, orientation, and movement or acceleration data mayalso be provided for real-time or near real-time system applications.

In some embodiments, apparatus data may be transmitted only periodicallyor intermittently, such as at a frequency of once every five seconds,once every ten seconds, once per minute, etc. Additionally oralternatively, beacon system 290 may comprise a transceiver device thatis configured and operative to be responsive to signals from remotedevice 900; in such embodiments, apparatus data may be transmitted bytransmitter 291, for example, responsive to requests from, or a detectedproximity of, remote device 900. These embodiments may prolong batterylife or minimize amperage draw by components of beacon system 290, forexample, and may have particular utility in applications which favor lowpower consumption.

Broadcast apparatus data may be captured, for example, by a remotedevice or instrument such as remote device 900. As indicated at block503, apparatus data sufficient to identify a location of trafficapparatus 100 may be captured when a signal from transmitter 291 is atpeak signal strength, as measured by remote device 900 (i.e., generally,when remote device 900 is closest to beacon system 290). As noted above,this may be effectuated by moving remote device 900 in and around anarrangement 420 of traffic apparatus 100; typically, it is expected thatsignal strength identified by remote device 900 will increase as remotedevice 900 approaches a location of traffic apparatus 100 and decreaseas remote device 900 is moved away. In some embodiments, it may bedesirable to use GPS or other mapping or location functionality residentat remote device 900 to acquire or to validate location data associatedwith a particular traffic apparatus 100.

Signal strength and sampling of apparatus data may continue periodicallyor repeatedly until a threshold low signal strength is reached, asindicated at decision block 504. As noted above, if remote device 900 iswithin a particular range of a particular traffic apparatus 100, signalstrength may be above a predetermined or desired threshold, and samplingmay continue; when signal strength drops below a threshold, however,remote device 900 may acknowledge loss of signal and record apparatusdata at the point when signal strength was at a peak. In the foregoingmanner, remote device 900 may ascertain a location of each trafficapparatus 100, along with apparatus ID and function ID, by movingrelative to the traffic apparatus 100 deployed in a particulararrangement 420; these data may be recorded (e.g., by remote device 900for later transmission) or simply transmitted by remote device 900(e.g., to central system 410) for recordation or further processing asindicated at block 599. As noted above, in instances where apparatusdata do not include GPS or other specific data to locate a particulartraffic apparatus 100 in two- or three-dimensional space, location datamay be derived from or informed by cellular, navigational, GPS, or otherlocation information resident on remote device 900 and measured orcomputed at the time that a threshold signal strength is reached forthat particular traffic apparatus 100.

The arrangement of the blocks and the order of operations depicted inFIG. 5 are not intended to exclude other alternatives or options. Forexample, the operations depicted at blocks 503 and 599 may occursubstantially simultaneously in some implementations. Further, adifferent type of threshold and iterative loop may be employed, and thethresholds may vary as function of the type of processing expected ordesired to be carried out by remote device 900. For example, rather thana low signal strength threshold to exit the loop of block 503 anddecision block 504, a high signal strength threshold may be usedinstead, such that the loop is exited when signal strength begins todrop (e.g., as remote device 900 begins to recede from traffic apparatus100).

In accordance with the foregoing, a traffic control agency or othergovernmental or regulatory authority may ascertain and maintain thelocation of a portable (i.e., non-permanent) traffic apparatus 100, andmay review and validate the integrity of an arrangement 420 of same,without incurring the deleterious effects of additional or onerousworkflow changes. The foregoing system and method introduce noadditional recurring fees (such as subscriptions, for example) and maybe implemented at low cost (since the beacon system 290 components maybe implemented simply and cheaply, with low power requirements). Thesuppliers or lessors of traffic apparatus 100 may be enabled to accesslocation information for every traffic apparatus 100 deployed in thefield, and may uniquely identify every asset's purpose and location;this may have utility in marketing, business development, and othercontexts. Those responsible for road conditions and traveler safety(such as DOTs, law enforcement officials, or local transportationboards) may be enabled to access information sufficient to assess roadconditions and to identify road closures and local hazards. Autonomousvehicle developers may benefit from available aggregated data byintegrating apparatus data and location data into their automatedcontrol systems, increasing safety with advanced warnings of roadconditions or hazard zones.

Several features and aspects of a system and method have beenillustrated and described in detail with reference to particularembodiments by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Thoseof skill in the art will appreciate that alternative implementations andvarious modifications to the disclosed embodiments are within the scopeand contemplation of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intendedthat the present disclosure be considered as limited only by the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of acquiring and maintaining locationinformation associated with a traffic apparatus; said method comprising:affixing a beacon system to the traffic apparatus, the beacon systemoperative to broadcast apparatus data associated with a function of thetraffic apparatus to a remote device; capturing the apparatus dataresponsive to a measure of a signal strength of the beacon systemidentified by the remote device; autonomously computing location dataassociated with the traffic apparatus responsive to said capturing andas a function of a minimum distance between the traffic apparatus andthe remote device; and responsive to said computing, recording both thefunction of the traffic apparatus and a location in space at which thetraffic apparatus is deployed.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein thebeacon system is operative to broadcast the apparatus data periodicallyat a frequency.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said capturing isresponsive to a peak signal strength and wherein the minimum distance isdetermined based on the peak signal strength.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein the beacon system is operative to broadcast the apparatus dataresponsive to a proximity of the remote device.
 5. The method of claim 4wherein said computing comprises utilizing positioning data resident onthe remote device.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the apparatus datainclude a unique apparatus identifier.
 7. The method of claim 1 whereinthe apparatus data include a functional identifier associated with afunction of the traffic apparatus.
 8. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising transmitting the apparatus data from the remote device to acomputer processing system.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein saidcomputing comprises utilizing the computer processing system.
 10. Themethod of claim 8 wherein said recording comprises utilizing thecomputer processing system.
 11. The method of claim 10 furthercomprising transmitting the location data from the computer processingsystem to a third party platform.
 12. A traffic apparatus locationsystem comprising: a traffic apparatus; a beacon system affixed to saidtraffic apparatus, said beacon system to broadcast apparatus dataassociated with a function of said traffic apparatus; a remote device toreceive the apparatus data broadcast by said beacon system; and acomputer processing system to receive information associated with theapparatus data from said remote device, the information including thefunction of said traffic apparatus; wherein the information is usedautonomously to compute, as a function of a minimum distance betweensaid traffic apparatus and said remote device, location data associatedwith a location in space at which said traffic apparatus is deployed,and wherein said computer processing system is to record both thefunction of said traffic apparatus and the location in space at whichsaid traffic apparatus is deployed.
 13. The system of claim 12 whereinthe location data are included in the apparatus data broadcast by saidbeacon system.
 14. The system of claim 12 wherein said beacon system isoperative to broadcast the apparatus data periodically at a frequency.15. The system of claim 12 wherein said beacon system is operative tobroadcast the apparatus data responsive to a proximity of said remotedevice.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the location data arecomputed based on a location of said remote device.
 17. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the location data are computed by said remote device.18. The system of claim 16 wherein the location data are computed bysaid computer processing system.
 19. The system of claim 12 wherein theapparatus data include a unique apparatus identifier.
 20. The system ofclaim 12 wherein the apparatus data include a functional identifierassociated with the function of said traffic apparatus.
 21. The systemof claim 12 wherein said remote device is a wireless telephone.
 22. Thesystem of claim 12 wherein said remote device is a tablet computer. 23.The system of claim 15 wherein said beacon system comprises a wirelesstransceiver and is configured and operative to initiate the broadcastresponsive to a signal from said remote device.
 24. The system of claim15 wherein said computer processing system is operative to transmit thelocation data to a third party platform.
 25. The system of claim 13wherein said beacon system comprises a sensor including one of a globalpositioning system sensor, a gyroscope, an altimeter, a compass, and anaccelerometer.
 26. The system of claim 25 wherein said beacon systembroadcasts the apparatus data responsive to movement of said trafficapparatus as detected by said sensor.
 27. The traffic apparatus of claim26 wherein said beacon system comprises power control circuitry todisable electronic components of said beacon system following expirationof a time period during which movement of said traffic apparatus is notdetected by said sensor.
 28. A traffic apparatus comprising: a structureto convey information to a motorist; and a beacon system affixed to saidstructure, said beacon system to broadcast apparatus data associatedwith said structure to a remote device, the remote device configured andoperative to receive the apparatus data broadcast by said beacon system;wherein the remote device transmits information associated with theapparatus data to a computer processing system, the apparatus data areused to identify a function of said structure and autonomously tocompute, as a function of a minimum distance between said structure andthe remote device, location data associated with a location in space atwhich said structure is deployed, and the computer processing systemrecords both the function of said structure and the location in space atwhich said structure is deployed.
 29. The traffic apparatus of claim 28wherein said structure comprises one of a drum, a delineator, a cone, aflasher, a fixed sign, a placard, a barricade, and a programmable sign.30. The traffic apparatus of claim 28 wherein said structure comprisesone identified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
 31. Thetraffic apparatus of claim 28 wherein said beacon system comprises amemory to store the apparatus data.
 32. The traffic apparatus of claim31 wherein said memory is selectively programmable.
 33. The trafficapparatus of claim 32 wherein the apparatus data may be selectivelyprogrammed.
 34. The traffic apparatus of claim 28 wherein said beaconsystem is operative to broadcast the apparatus data periodically at afrequency.
 35. The traffic apparatus of claim 28 wherein said beaconsystem is operative to broadcast the apparatus data responsive to aproximity of the remote device.
 36. The traffic apparatus of claim 28wherein the apparatus data include a unique apparatus identifier. 37.The traffic apparatus of claim 28 wherein the apparatus data include afunctional identifier associated with the function of said structure.38. The traffic apparatus of claim 37 wherein the functional identifieris selectively programmable.
 39. The traffic apparatus of claim 28wherein said beacon system comprises a wireless transceiver and isconfigured and operative to initiate the broadcast responsive to asignal from the remote device.
 40. The traffic apparatus of claim 28wherein said structure is portable.
 41. The traffic apparatus of claim28 wherein the location data are computed by said beacon system.
 42. Thetraffic apparatus of claim 41 wherein said beacon system comprises asensor including one of a global positioning system sensor, a gyroscope,an altimeter, a compass, and an accelerometer.
 43. The traffic apparatusof claim 42 wherein said beacon system broadcasts the apparatus dataresponsive to movement of said structure as detected by said sensor. 44.The traffic apparatus of claim 43 wherein said beacon system comprisespower control circuitry to disable electronic components of said beaconsystem following expiration of a time period during which movement ofsaid structure is not detected by said sensor.